SteriPEN Ultra

Goodbye, iodine. And thanks SteriPEN for allowing us to bid adieu to that tea-colored, chemical-tasting purifying pill—it’s just not our cup of tea. SteriPEN’s become one of our favorite water purifiers, especially on international trips where a) charging up isn’t a hassle and b) multiple uses are requisite.

While SteriPEN has a few different options, our top pick for international travel is the SteriPEN Ultra, which has been a keystone of their lineup for a few years now, and can be used 8000 times before the lamp is considered ineffective.

Though it seems almost like a magical wand—you press a button, swirl it around in a glass or bottle of water, and then presto, potentially poisonous water is made potable—the SteriPEN works based on simple science. According to the company’s website, ultraviolet rays emitted from a cylindrical lamp at the tip of the SteriPEN zap away 99.99% of protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. What does that protect you from? Cholera, Typhoid, and Giardia, among other pesky waterborne maladies known to plague international travelers.

The slender UV element fits into even store-bought plastic bottles, which is handy when traveling. Not only that, but the Ultra’s digital display lets you know when the battery is low and for how long to keep stirring: 60 seconds with 16-ounce bottles, 90 seconds for 32-ounce bottles. When compared to waiting 30 minutes for the iodine to kick in, and noting that SteriPEN doesn’t alter flavor at all, you can see why it’s become a preferable method for us on international trips.

Note: SteriPEN doesn’t actually filter out any impurities, so it’s not recommended to be used with silty or sediment-ridden water (though you can opt to purchase a Fits All filter to eliminate this problem). If you’re backpacking, rafting, or simply traveling in areas that silty rivers are your go-to water source, we recommend going with an actual pump filter.

Tester Comment: “You save money on buying water bottles, you help the environment by minimizing consumption of plastic, and you save your body from the terrors of traveler’s diarrhea. That’s a win-win-win for the SteriPEN in my book.”

Bottom Line: The rechargeable SteriPEN takes UV technology and puts it in your pocket, making it a preferable purifier for on-the-go international travelers.

Best For: International travel, purifying any clear water source, from lakes and rivers to tap water in undeveloped locales